Bianca Lochner 8841 Walden University

Distance Education Distance education represents an important alternative to address current challenges and to make education accessible to all. Distance education represents the transmission of knowledge through various media and information channels to provide more flexible educational models.

Needs To provide access to educational experiences that are more flexible in time and space than traditional, campus-based education. To integrate and adapt to the affordances of the Internet and Web 2.0 tools. To expand learning environments beyond physical boundaries. To provide access to a wide range of training and learning resources. To generate new revenue. To transform and rethink content and pedagogy to address information age learning styles.

Research Distance education provides students with a rewarding experience that is just as challenging and effective as a traditional face -to -face learning environment (Anderson, 2008).. Simonson developed the equivalency theory as a framework to distinguish between distance and face-to-face education and emphasized that DE should not be identical with education practiced in a F2F environment Laureate, 2008). DE should have the same learning outcomes as traditional education and should provide equivalent learning experiences to meet these outcomes (Laureate, 2008). Using technologies, theoretical approaches and appropriate instructional strategies, combining synchronous and asynchronous instruction are all methods that enhance distance education outcomes (Anderson, 2008).

Research Distance education instructional designers should have knowledge of how students learn and of learning theories in order to design effective distance learning environments (Ally, 2008). Up to 50% of all high school courses will be delivered online by 2019 (Hoover Institute, 2010) Up to 80% of all instruction will be computer-based by 2024 (Christensen, 2008).

Development – Intended Audience Corporations Post-secondary Institutions K-12 Educational Environments

Development- Faculty Concerns Are DE learning outcomes equivalent to those students achieve in traditional programs? Will faculty-students and students-students interaction decrease? Will the level of student collaboration diminish compared to face-to-face courses? What are the benefits for the faculty? Is there a support system in place? What are the tenure and promotion approaches in DE?

Development- Institution Concerns What is the cost for the adoption of the distance education model? What is the preparedness level of faculty to transfer content to the online format successfully ? How may faculty be supported to develop new instructional strategies and to deliver successful online courses ? What are the needed policies?

Development- Student Concerns What is the perceived quality of distance education compared with face-to-face ? Is there financial aid available for distance education courses? Are there guidelines in place for security and privacy policies to protect institution and student records? Is the institution accredited?

Commercialization Accreditation Online Learning Platforms Distance Education Courseware Web 2.0 Tools

Distance education offers: Accessibility Flexibility ]

Plan for Diffusion

Benefits How it can help? Students Faculty Admininstration

Cost/benefit analysis

The S Curve

S curve Identify and discuss: Innovators Early adopters Majority Early and late Laggards

Innovators and Early Adopters

Strategies used to persuade Early Adopters

Laggards

Strategies used to help move the Laggards toward adoption

What attributes would be best for helping DE reach critical mass in K- 12 educational environments?

Decentralized Approach

Key Change Agents in FHUSD

Conclusion

References Ally, M. (2008). Foundations of educational theory for online learning. In T. Anderson (Ed.), The theory and practice of online learning (2nd ed., pp. 15–44). Edmonton, AB: Athabasca University Press. Anderson, T. (2008). Towards a theory of online learning. In T. Anderson (Ed.), The theory and practice of online learning (2nd ed., pp. 45–74). Edmonton, AB: Athabasca University Press. Christensen, C. M. (2008). Disruptively deploying computers. In Disrupting class: How disruptive innovations will change the way the world learns (pp. 89–119). New York: McGraw-Hill. Laureate Education, Inc. (Executive Producer). (2008a). Distance Education: The Next Generation [Video]. Baltimore, MD: Author. Laureate Education, Inc. (Executive Producer). (2008b). Equivalency Theory [Video]. Baltimore, MD: Author. Simmons, D. E. (2002). The forum report: E-learning adoption rates and barriers. In A. Rossett (Ed.), The ASTD e- learning handbook (pp ). New York:, NY: McGraw-Hill. Simonson, M. (2000). Making Decisions: The Use of Electronic Technology in Online Classrooms. New Directions for Teaching & Learning, (84), 29. Retrieved from EBSCOhost.